Plasma microparticles are not elevated in fresh plasma from patients with gynaecological malignancy — An observational study

Circulating microparticles: challenges and perspectives of flow cytometric assessment

Circulating blood microparticles are likely to play a significant role as messengers of biological information. Their accurate quantification and characterisation is challenging and needs to be carefully designed with preferable usage of fresh minimally-processed blood samples. Utilisation of flow cytometers specifically designed for analysis of small-size particles is likely to provide considerable methodological advantages and should be the preferable option. This viewpoint manuscript provides a critical summary of the key methodological aspects of microparticle analysis.

Note: The review process for this viewpoint article was fully handled by Christian Weber, Editor in Chief.

Microparticles: a new perspective in central nervous system disorders

Microparticles (MPs) are a heterogeneous population of small cell-derived vesicles, ranging in size from 0.1 to 1 μm. They contain a variety of bioactive molecules, including proteins, biolipids, and nucleic acids, which can be transferred between cells without direct cell-to-cell contact. Consequently, MPs represent a novel form of intercellular communication, which could play a role in both physiological and pathological processes. Growing evidence indicates that circulating MPs contribute to the development of cancer, inflammation, and autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases. Most cell types of the central nervous system (CNS) have also been shown to release MPs, which could be important for neurodevelopment, CNS maintenance, and pathologies. In disease, levels of certain MPs appear elevated; therefore, they may serve as biomarkers allowing for the development of new diagnostic tools for detecting the early stages of CNS pathologies. Quantification and characterization of MPs could also provide useful information for making decisions on treatment options and for monitoring success of therapies, particularly for such difficult-to-treat diseases as cerebral malaria, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease. Overall, studies on MPs in the CNS represent a novel area of research, which promises to expand the knowledge on the mechanisms governing some of the physiological and pathophysiological processes of the CNS.